Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
Costs & inclusions
How many people can one boat take, and how do the cabins work?
Boats in the fleet carry up to 12 passengers, with three to five cabins depending on the model.
Most cabins are doubles with ensuite bathrooms. Many boats sleep additional guests by dropping the saloon table down to form another double, and some layouts include a single cabin that suits a teenager or a solo crew member.
As an example, the Leopard 48.4 sleeps up to eleven across four double ensuite cabins, a saloon double and a forward triple cabin. The Leopard 43.4 sleeps up to ten across four double cabins with two bathrooms, plus a saloon double.
A minimum crew of two is required on every charter.
How much does a bareboat charter in the Whitsundays cost?
Charter rates vary by boat, season and length, with sailing catamarans starting from $910 per night and power catamarans from $1,392 under the current 7 nights for the price of 5 promotion.
The lowest rates are through the wet season from January to March, and the highest through September and October.
That price is for the whole boat, not per person.
The charter fee covers the boat hire, the pre-charter briefing and everything on board. Fuel, provisions, an environmental management charge and a sundries fee are additional.
What is included in the charter price?
The charter fee covers the boat hire, the pre-charter briefing and the equipment on board.
Every boat comes fully equipped with kitchen utensils, safety equipment and navigation charts. Snorkelling gear is provided at no charge.
All vessels have 240V power with an inverter and a marine stereo system, with Bluetooth. Air conditioning is free of charge while plugged into shore power at the marina.
Whitsunday Escape monitors the radio between 8am and 4pm, scanning all stations, with the emergency frequency Channel 16 monitored by the Mackay port after hours.
All you need to organise is your food and drinks.
What extra costs should we budget for beyond the charter fee?
Beyond the charter fee, budget for fuel, provisions, an environmental management charge of $25.50 per person and a sundries fee of $38 per person.
Fuel works like a rental car. The boat is full at the start and you top it up at Coral Sea Marina on return, so you only pay for what you use.
Public moorings are free. Island marina berths, such as Hamilton Island, are optional and charged by the marina. On-water air conditioning is $10 per hour, and extras such as paddle boards, fishing gear and portable Starlink can be hired.
Is a charter better value than a resort for a group?
For most groups, yes. Charter pricing is for the whole boat rather than per person, so the cost doesn’t rise with every extra guest the way a hotel room or package does.
One price covers your accommodation, your transport between islands and access to reefs, beaches and anchorages you’d otherwise reach one tour at a time.